Clayton State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Clayton State University charges a net price of $8,365/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $33,460. Graduates earn a median $49,179 ten years after entry, $819/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 40.9 years — a 20-year net return of -$17,080, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Clayton State University's 40.9-year payback ranks #1,172 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 9% of them, and #18 of 100 in Georgia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $8,365/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $33,460 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,179 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $819/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,706 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 40.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$17,080 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Clayton State University's own numbers. Net price $8,365 × 4 years = $33,460 total. Median earnings $49,179 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $819 a year of premium. $33,460 ÷ $819 = 40.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$17,080. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Clayton State University students graduate with?
A median $25,706 in federal loans among completers, or 52% of the $49,179 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Clayton State University students graduate?
40% finish their degree — 60% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $33,460 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $83,650 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Clayton State University expensive compared with other Georgia colleges?
Its $8,365 net price runs $7,310 below the $15,675 median across the 100 Georgia colleges we profile, and $29,240 less across the full degree.